Significant government efforts to reinforce equal opportunity, eradicate discrimination against women
Manama, Oct. 6 (BNA): Women in Bahrain have been moving steadily and swiftly towards taking on job opportunities that were traditionally confined to men.
However, they are still facing significant challenges, in spite of the natural flair and skills possessed by women in negotiation and multitasking. In reality, studies show that women are facing massive challenges in the work environment and it is essential to identify practical strategies to tackle them through studies and research to develop suitable general policies in the public and private sectors.
Due to efforts taken by the government to reinforce equal opportunities and eradicate all forms of discrimination against women, the government reviewed through its Executive Committee chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, a number of initiatives that reinforce Bahraini women’s development.
The initiatives are based on recommendations by the Supreme Council of Women and in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, in which they developed a set of measures and decisions relating to a number of governmental entities that affect women contribution and integration in the labour market.
Bahrain as a modern country supportive of women
Dr Hala Al Ansari, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Women, reaffirmed that the directives and decisions in relation to women that have been witnessed in Bahrain in recent times reflects Bahrain’s positioning as a modern and advanced country that is supportive of women, whilst at the same time, these measures helped increase women’s participation in national efforts to combat the repercussions of the global Covid-19 pandemic on society, the economy and public life in the Kingdom.
She highlighted that the Supreme Council for Women under the leadership of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain, records the significant positive impact these directives and decisions have on Bahraini women and family and social stability.
She clarified that whilst many countries and communities have faced big challenges, Bahrain remained stable due to the support packages provided to the citizens and entities during Covid-19, in addition to the regulations, laws and measures that were promulgated during those times.
A significant proportion of those measures targeted supporting the Bahraini women and her family as the main source of health and mental stability for the family, and due to her significant presence in vital sectors such as education and healthcare.
Al Ansari explained that the Supreme Council for Women will continue to closely monitor the ongoing and evolving needs of Bahraini women amidst the current circumstances in Bahrain, whilst cooperating with the relevant entities within the framework of its areas of focus and strategic plans as part of the National Strategy to Advance Bahraini Women.
This will help further invigorate the powers of Bahraini women and reinforce their ability to balance between the demands of their work and those of their family as a main source to ensure family stability, improve the quality of life and ensure the appropriate application of the relevant legislations and laws that are of direct and indirect relevance to women’s rights.
Bahrain has witnessed the introduction of several decisions that are supportive of gender balance and accommodating of the situation of women during the prevailing Covid-19 conditions, especially women working in the front lines.
Supreme Council for Women: The directives and decisions reflect Bahrain’s positioning as an advanced modern country that is supportive of women
This has reflected positively on the sustainability of women’s performance of her family and professional responsibilities, the easier provision of medical services, the support to her mental stability amidst Covid-19 and the protection of the stability of the family and the Bahraini society as a whole.
On 21 March 2020 and at the outset of Covid-19 pandemic and on Mother’s Day which is celebrated by the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa instructed all relevant government entities to implement a Work from Home policy for working mothers for the continuation of the working mothers’ contribution to performing vital roles, especially in the healthcare and security sector, and as a service to the country and its people.
In line with His Majesty’s directives, several instructions were issued by the Civil Service Bureau on Working from Home policy, in addition to the establishment of the joint committee with the Supreme Council for Women to closely monitor the implementation of the Working from Home policy by the Ministries and other governmental entities.
On 2 April 2020, the Executive Committee under the leadership of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Supreme Commander, directed public sector entities to expand the Working from Home policy which covered specifically working employees at the public sector, husbands of female employees working in the frontlines in combating Covid-19, under which their spouses would be given priority to Work from Home, given the significant load these employees carry in combating Covid-19 and its percussions, which demands the provision of support to their families.
This comes in line with the measures taken by the various governmental entities to achieve a high degree of social and economic stability, in addition to the significant responsibilities in providing healthcare security to all members of society; residents and citizens.
Social Insurance: Bahraini women receive full support, empowerment
A decision was also issued by the Cabinet in relation to the payment of the salaries of workers in nurseries who are not insured at the General Organisation for Social Insurance, in order to reduce the impact of Covid-19 on working women in various professional sectors.
During another meeting of the Executive Committee under the leadership of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Supreme Commander, on 25 August 2020, a number of initiatives in support of women development were studied and discussed, following recommendations by the Supreme Council of Women and in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and National Economy. As a result, a number of decisions were issued which relate directly to the sustainability and integration of women in the work market.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Development issued three decisions to reinforce equality between men and women in the work environment, including an affirmation on banning discrimination in pay between men and women who carry out the same roles, allowing women to work in all sectors (within limits as to the nature of the sector) and a decision relating to women working in professions with night shifts. These decisions are in line with the Labour Law in the Private Sector No.36 for 2012.
In addition, the General Organisation for Social Insurance issued a decision which states: “All leaves mentioned in the Labour law for the Private Sector are calculated as part of the participation duration under the Social Insurance Law, including paid and unpaid leave provided to women after giving birth or when nursing her child.”
Central Bank of Bahrain: Reiterating support for women and her participation in the national economy
One of the key decisions approved by the Executive Committee is for the Central Bank of Bahrain to issue a circular to all entities licensed for the provision in financial services in Bahrain and that are licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain to ban any discrimination from taking place in the provision of financial services based on sex, nationality, origin, language, faith, religion, physical disability or social status.
Further, one of the generous directives from HRH Princess Sabeeka was related to covering all debts by Bahraini women who have had cases filed against them and who are listed on the official lists of the Ministry of Interior.
Supporting working women and meeting their needs
In implementing the decision of the Executive Committee, a decision was issued by the General Organisation for Social Insurance which states: “All leaves mentioned in the Labour law for the Private Sector are calculated as part of the participation duration under the Social Insurance Law, including paid and unpaid leave provided to women after giving birth or when nursing her child.”
Mrs Iman Mustafa Al Marbati, the Chief Executive Officer of the General Organisation for Social Insurance, commended the leadership’s keenness on supporting the advanced levels achieved by Bahraini women in her participation in the national economy, which reflects positively on Bahrain’s competitiveness internationally and is in line with the goals and aspirations of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
She reiterated that Bahraini women enjoy full support and empowerment, and are leading in various leadership positions across the political, social and economic sectors due to the governmental efforts that support equal opportunity.
She confirmed that the Organisation’s decision supports working women and their needs, and complements the Organisation’s role in implementing the National Strategy for the advancement of Bahraini women and the national model for integrating women needs in the development plans of the Kingdom.
The Chief Executive Officer clarified the continuing efforts and initiatives in support of the advancement of Bahraini women, which helps in sustaining her achievements and integrating her needs into the work market. This supports the gender balance, and ensures the stability of her family.
The Kingdom of Bahrain confirms that equal pay between men and women is supported by the country’s legislations and policies that are built on equality. She added that the pay mechanisms are reviewed regularly to ensure equal pay between men and women. In addition, the presence of women in various decision-making circles in the legislative, executive and judicial authorities reflects positively on reinforcing this equality.
40% women employment in the workforce
In order to ensure equality between men and women, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development issued three decisions which bans the discrimination in pay between workers on the basis of gender, women’s ability to work in all sectors, and a decision in relation to women working on night shifts, which are all aligned with the Labour Law for the Private Sector No.36 for 2012.
Ministry of Labour: Implementation of projects supportive of women employment and productive families
Commenting on this, the Acting Undersecretary for the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Mr Khalid Abdulrahman Al Kooheji, said that the Ministry considers Bahraini women as a priority in its programs, as it continues to launch initiatives for the development of a strong national female cadre and its social and economic empowerment. The Ministry has managed to increase the percentage of females in employment from 25% three years ago to 40% from the total employment of nationals in various sectors.
Al Kooheji added that the Ministry works to ensure the sustainability of women’s contribution to the workforce market and for her integration in various industries and professions in the private sector through various initiatives.
A part-time employment program for females was launched in 2015, under which the Ministry has managed to integrate 5,000 Bahraini females into the workforce under the part-time program, in addition to amending some of the ministerial decisions to expand women’s employment into the various industrial sectors on equal foot to her male counterpart, whilst maintaining her privileges in relation to motherhood and health and safety precautions.
These decisions include: banking discrimination in pay between men and women who carry out the same job, allowing women to work in all industries with no limit and decisions in relation to the employment of females in jobs with night shifts, which are all in line with the Labour Law for the Private Sector No.36 for the Year 2012. Further, the educational and training programs have resulted in increasing the level of integration of women into the workforce and in new sectors without any discrimination in treatment, pay or work privileges.
Mr Khalid Abdulrahman Ishaq Al Kooheji highlighted that the Ministry has worked through empowering and developing women economically from executing a number of projects that serve women, such as: productive families project, home business step program which helps support women to integrate into the work market and improve her living conditions through the establishment of “Step Centre for Home Businesses”, which houses hundreds of productive families.
The program organizes a number of educational and training courses throughout the year which help women execute, develop and market their projects and businesses in the Productive Families Support Centers. This allows women to contribute more effectively to the development projects in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Banning discrimination in the provision of financial services
One of the key decisions approved by the Executive Committee is the decision for the Central Bank of Bahrain to issue a circular to all entities licensed for the provision in financial services in Bahrain and that are licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain to ban any discrimination from taking place in the provision of financial services based on sex, nationality, origin, language, faith, religion, physical disability or social status.
Manar Mustafa Al Sayed, the General Counsel of the Central Bank of Bahrain, highlighted that the recent circular reflects the guidance of the Executive Committee under the leadership of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Supreme Commander, which focuses on the protection of women rights and tackling any obstacles she may face and supporting her integration into the national economy. Positioning her on equal foot to other members of society, will positively impact the positioning of the financial sector of the Kingdom of Bahrain regionally and internationally.
With this immense focus on women, Bahrain confirms the continuation of its efforts to reinforce the role of Bahraini women and eradicate any discriminations against her. This reinforces the Kingdom’s positioning internationally as a country that takes initiative and as a country that is committed to deliver on its national and international commitments within the context of women development.